SOL BAMBA hailed his “fairytale journey” after his successful spot-kick helped Middlesbrough dump Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

Bamba was one of eight Boro players to score from the spot as they claimed a remarkable 8-7 shoot-out win.

The central defender, who only came onto the field as an 118th-minute substitute for Isaiah Jones, has had a remarkable few years, having been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021.

He underwent chemotherapy and was able to confirm he was cancer-free last May, but his footballing career still looked to be over when he was released by Cardiff City.

Former Boro boss Neil Warnock snapped him up as a free agent, and he was leading the celebrations in front of 9,700 ecstatic Boro fans in Manchester last night.

“I wanted to take a penalty, and moments like this (are why) I am still playing football,” said Bamba. “We had very good away fans and it was set up for us tonight.

"All the way through my treatment it was for moments like this. The hard work, support from my family and football community I can only thank them. Without their support I wouldn't be there. I still have the drive to keep going.

“The family and Mrs were in distress and panic, but it is pure joy and I will enjoy it tonight. It is a fairytale, enjoying being back on the pitch after everything I have been though and long may it continue.

“In this competition, you never know, we just knocked out one of the favourites in Manchester United.”

Boro fell behind when Jadon Sancho opened the scoring in the first half, and Manchester United wasted a host of chances, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty, Sancho firing against the crossbar and Bruno Fernandes hitting the post when presented with an open goal.

Boro rode their luck, and equalised in controversial fashion in the second half when Duncan Watmore, a former Manchester United trainee before leaving the club’s youth set-up at the age of 12, appeared to handle the ball before crossing for Matt Crooks, a boyhood Manchester United who was also on the club’s books as a youngster, to slide home at the back post.

“It was completely accidental the handball,” said Watmore. “It was amazing to make a difference and set up Crooksy. Me and Crooksy were in a United age group team together here - so it is even more special.”